Quick removable rooter attachment for bulldozer moldboards



Feb. 14, 1950 D. FLE I'CHER 2,497,351

QUICK REMOVABLE ROUTER ATTACHMENT FOR BULLDOZER MOLDBOARDS Filed Nov. 5, 1948 Jean FZeZckefi INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 14, 1950 UNITED 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an attachment for use in connection with bulldozer mold-boards, the primary object of the invention being to provide an attachment so constructed that it will pick up roots to remove them from the surface over which the bulldozer is moving.

An object of the invention is to provide means for securing the attachment to the bulldozer mold-board, which is of an adjustable form to permit the attachment to be positioned on moldboards of various widths and sizes.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an edge elevational view of a bulldozer mold-board, illustrating a rooter attachment constructed in accordance with the invention, as mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation view thereof.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 indicates the usual mold-board of a bulldozer to which the attachment, forming the subject matter of the present invention and which is termed a rooter, is attached. The attachment embodies the main shank 6 which is formed with spaced notches 1 disposed in the front edge near the upper end of the main shank, as clearly shown by the drawings.

The lower end of the shank extends forwardly as at 8, where it provides a support for the rooter point or shoe 9.

Extending rearwardly from the shank 6 is the bracket II], which is welded to the main shank, the bracket I being formed with an opening through which the bolt I I moves, the bolt providing a support for the springs I2 and I3 mounted on opposite sides of the bracket ID, the bolt being provided with nuts I4, whereby the tension of the springs I2 and I3 may be adjusted.

Mounted for sliding movement on the shank 6, is the sleeve I5 which is formed with a rearwardly extended ear I6 through which the bolt II extends, the ear engaging the lower end of the coiled spring I3, which spring normally urges the sleeve I5 downwardly.

The reference character I! indicates a second sleeve which is movable longitudinally of the shank 6, the sleeve I! being provided with the rearwardly extended hook I8, which is so constructed that it will fit over the bulldozer moldboard cutting shoe I 9, with which it is used.

Pivotally connected with the sleeve I5, is the operating lever 23, which straddles the sleeve I5 to brace the lever against lateral or twisting movement as it is being operated.

Links 2| connect the lever 20 with the sleeve H, the connection between the links 2I and the lever being at a point spaced towards the free end of the lever from the pivot point of the lever so that as the lever is swung from its full line position, to its dotted line position, as shown by Fig. 1, the sleeves I5 and I1 will be moved towards each other to cause the hook I8 to engage over the cutting edge of the shoe I9.

At the upper end of the shank 6 is the adjustable hook 22, which is formed with an opening to accommodate the shank 6 so that the hook may slide longitudinally of the shank B. The elongated opening formed in the hook has one of its end walls beveled as at 23 to fit within the notches I with the hooked end thereof engaging under the rearwardly extended flange 24 of the bulldozer blade.

At the extreme upper end of the shank 6, is a cross pin 25 that is designed to be engaged by the hook 22 and prevent the hook from becoming disengaged from the shank 6.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided a rooter attachment for the moldboards of bulldozers which may be readily and easily attached and removed when it is desired to use the bulldozer in clearing wooded land, the attachment being such that it will readily adjust itself to bulldozer mold-boards of various sizes, and can be attached without the use of tools such as wrenches or the like.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A rooter attachment for the mold board of a bulldozer, comprising a shank, a hook member adapted to hook over the upper edge of the mold board of the bulldozer, said hook member being adjustable longitudinally of the shank, a lower sleeve mounted for sliding movement on the shank, a hook on the lower sleeve adapted to engage the lower edge of the mold board, a second sleeve slidable on the shank, yieldable members on the shank and connected with the second sleeve, restricting movement of the sleeve longitudinally of the shank, a lever connected with the second sleeve, and a link connecting the 3 lever with the first mentioned sleeve, whereby movement of the lever moves the sleeve and hook member into clamping relation with the mold board.

'2. A rooter attachment for the mold board of a bulldozer, comprising a shank, a router point secured to the lower end of the shank, a rearwardly extending hook member mounted on the shank for longitudinal sliding movement, the hook member adapted to engage over the upper edge of a mold board, a sleeve mounted for sliding movement longitudinally of the shank, a rearwardly extended hook on the sleeve engageable with the lower edge of the mold board, a

second sleeve movable longitudinally of the shank above the first mentioned sleeve, a lever and link 4 connected between the sleeves whereby movement of the lever moves the sleeves towards each other, the hook of the sleeve gripping the lower edge of the mold board supporting the attachment directly in front of the mold board.

DEAN FLETCHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 391,801 Kirkland Oct. 30, 1888 626,604 Gafi June 6, 1899 2,384,957 Murphy Sept. 18, 1945 

